Connecting means for building panels



July 7, 1964 R. A. FERRELL CONNECTING MEANS FOR BUILDING PANELS Filed May 1, 1962 Illlllll INV EN TOR.

1946152621 4 FZ'PPHZ @j aw United States Patent C) 3,139,961 CONNECTEJG MEANS FOR BUILDING PANELS Russell A. Ferrell, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to H. H. Robertson Company Filed May 1, 1962, Ser. No. 191,521- 6 Claims. (Cl. 189-88) This invention relates to an exterior sheath of a building comprising a plurality of generally rectangular building panels and more particularly to an improved means for connecting the adjacent ones of said building panels.

According to the present invention, a plurality of generally rectangular building panels is secured in outboard relation to a building structure. The building structure may comprise the structural framework of a new building or the outer wall of an existing building. Each building panel comprises a generally rectangular sheet having at least two transverse subgirts secured to the inner face thereof. The generally rectangular sheets may comprise flat or corrugated sheets. The building panels are individually secured to the building structure by means of fasteners extending through the subgirts. Each generally rectangular sheet includes vertical lateral surfaces, each of which has an outwardly extending flange contiguous therewith. Each outwardly extending flange is bowed laterally inwardly of the vertical lateral surface to provide a receiving well at the juncture of the outwardly extending flange and the lateral surface.

When the present building panels are installed, they are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. An elongated cap member is provided which is snapped over the spaced apart, outwardly extending flanges of adjacent building panels. Thus when the assembly of the exterior sheath is completed, there are no exposed fasteners. And in the instance wherein a corrugated rectangular sheet is used, the cap member may be made to blend with the corrugations so that it is indistinguishable therefrom.

The principal objects of the present invention include:

To provide an exterior sheath having an improved means for connecting adjacent building panels;

To provide an exterior sheath wherein any one of the building panels may be removed and replaced without disturbing the adjacent building panels;

To provide an exterior sheath which may be used to cover and thereby modernize an outer wall of an existing building;

To provide an exterior sheath which may be combined with an inner sheath and insulating material to form an insulated building wall structure;

To provide an exterior sheath that may be quickly and easily erected;

To provide an exterior sheath that may be rapidly dismantled when desired; and

To provide an exterior sheath wherein all the fasteners and supporting structure used in its assembly are hidden from external view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled insulated wall structure utilizing the exterior sheath of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a rectangular corrugated sheet of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an elevation view illustrating a transverse subgirt of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary isometric view of one end of the transverse subgirt of FIGURE 2, illustrating one of the pair of tongues provided thereon;

3,139,961 Patented July 7., 1964 FIGURE 5 is a view of the inner face of a rectangular sheet having a transverse subgirt secured thereto;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary isometric view, partly in cross-section, illustrating the preferred embodiment of an elongated cap member; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of the inner face of a rectangular sheet having at least two transverse subgirts secured thereto.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated in a crosssectional view, an exterior sheath generally designated by the numeral 10. The exterior sheath 10 is secured in outboard relation to a building structure 12 which in this instance comprises vertical columns 13 and girt members 14 (one each shown here).

The exterior sheath 10 comprises a plurality of building panels 17 each of which includes a rectangular sheet 18 and transverse subgirts 2t). The exterior sheath 10 also includes elongated cap members 22 (one shown here).

Rectangular Sheet 18 The rectangular sheet 18, illustrated in a cross-sectional view in FIGURE 2, preferably comprises a corrugated sheet formed of thin-gauge metal and presenting alternating outer crests 24 and inner valleys 26 with a plurality of leg members 28 extending from the edges of the outer crests 24 to the adjacent inner valleys 26. The rectangular sheets 18 also include lateral surfaces 30 each of which comprises one of the valleys 26 and which are vertically disposed when the rectangular sheet 18 is installed on a building structure. Alternatively the rectangular sheet 18' could comprise a flat metal sheet.

The rectangular sheet 18 is also provided with an outwardly extending flange 32 along the vertical Side edge 34 of each of the lateral surfaces 30. Each outwardly extending flange 32 is bowed laterally inwardly of the lateral side edge 34 and thereby provides a receiving well 36 at the juncture of the outwardly extending flange 32 and the lateral surface 3%).

Transverse Subgirt 20 The transverse subgirt 20, illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, comprises a channel-shaped section 49 having a flat body portion 42 and depending side portions 44. A tongue 46 is provided at each end which extends outwardly from the subgirt 20. As best seen in FIGURE 4, each tongue 46 preferably is formed from a portion of the flat body portion 40 by any suitable means such as a punching process.

The tongues 46 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance which is designated by the letter A in FIGURE 3. The distance A is the standard width of a rectangular sheet. Thus when a rectangular sheet is secured to the subgirt 20, the lateral side edges 34 thereof abut the inner face of the tongues 46. Occasionally the width of a sheet may be less than or greater than the distance A. In those instances, the rectangular sheet is fitted between the tongues 46, i.e., the sheet is spread or contracted to fit between the tongues 46.

Preferably at least two transverse subgirts, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, are secured at spaced distances along the inner face of each rectangular sheet 18 preferably by means of spot welds 47 (see FIGURE 5) along the valleys 26 and the lateral surfaces 30..

As can be seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, the transverse subgirts 20 include subgirt end portions 48 which extend for a predetermined distance, designated by the letter B, beyond the tongues 46. The adjacent end portions 48 provide a means by which a minimum spacing between adjacent outwardly extending flanges 32 may be fixed. That is to say, that when the adjacent subgirt end portions 48 are abutted end-to-end, the distance between the adjacent outwardly extending flanges 32 is a fixed minimum distance. Thus a minimum distance between adjacent outwardly extending flanges 32 can be fixed whereby the cap member 22 may be tightly engaged thereover as shown in FIGURE 1.

Cap Member 22 The elongated cap member 22, illustrated in FIGURE 6, has a generally U-shaped configuration with a face or crest 50 and two spaced legs 52 depending from the face 50. Each leg 52 terminates in an inturned leg portion 54. In the preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the crest 50 and the legs 52 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the crests 24 and the legs 28 of the rectangular sheets 18. Thus when the cap member 22 is applied to the exterior sheath 10, it blends with the corrugations of the rectangular sheet 18 and is indistinguishable therefrom.

It should be evident that a variety of aesthetically pleasing exterior sheaths could be assembled from the rectangular sheets 18 and the cap member 22. The design possibilities include a change through the depth, shape, texture and/or color of the cap member 22 and a change through the cross-sectional shape, texture and/ or color of the rectangular sheets 18.

Assembly As hereinbefore stated, the exterior sheath may be combined with an inner sheath and insulating material to form an insulated building wall. The exterior sheath 10 is illustrated in FIGURE 1 as forming the outer face of an insulated building Wall. The assembly of the exterior sheath 10 will now be described by reference to FIGURE 1.

A plurality of interlocked U-shaped pans 56 are secured in outboard relation to the frame 12. The U- shaped pans 56 serve as an inner sheath which encloses the building and provides weather protection. Suitable insulation material 58 is next applied to the U-shaped pan 56. The insulation material may comprise batts of glass fibers, mineral fibers, asbestos, rock wool, foamed plastics and the like.

A plurality of angle members 60 (one shown here) next is secured at spaced distances along the U-shaped pans 56 and directly to the girt members 14. On each of the angle members 60 there is provided a T-clip 62 having an inboard leg 64 secured to the angle member 60 and two outboard transverse flanges 66. The T-clip 62 preferably is formed from materials identified as protected metals, i.e., a metal sheet, usually zinc-coated carbon steel, coated with a thick, tough covering of bituminous material. The 'T-clip 62 serves to minimize through-conduction of heat from the interior of the building to the outer surface of the exterior sheath 10.

As shown, the subgirt end portions 48 are secured, preferably by means of bolts 68, to the outboard transverse flanges 66. In this manner, the rectangular facing sheets 18 are maintained in outboard relation with the frame 12 of the building. Furthermore, each building panel 17 may be individually removed from the frame 12 with out disturbing the adjacent building panels 17.

The elongated cap member 22 next is snapped over the outwardly extending flanges 32 of the adjacent rectangular sheets 18. The legs 52 of the cap member 22 are disposed externally of the outwardly extending flanges 32 with each inturned leg portion 54 engaged in one of the receiving wells 36.

As can be seen in FIGURE 1, the cap member 22 blends with the corrugations of the rectangular sheet 18 so that it becomes visually indistinguishable therefrom. As hereinbefore stated, the cap member instead could be accented by changing its size, shape, texture and/or color to produce a variety of aesthetically pleasing exterior sheaths.

An object of the present invention is to provide an exterior sheath which may be used to cover and thereby modernize an outer wall of an existing building. It should be evident that the angle members 60 instead could be secured directly to the outer wall of an existing building. In this instance the exterior sheath 10 would serve to cover and modernize the exterior face of the building.

It should be evident from the foregoing detailed description, that the present invention provides an exterior sheath: having an improved means for connecting adjacent building panels; wherein any one of the building panels may be removed and replaced without disturbing the building panels adjacent thereto; which may be used to cover and thereby modernize an outer wall on existing building; which may be combined with an inner sheath and insulating material to form an insulated building wall; that may be quickly and easily erected; that may be rapidly dismantled when desired; and wherein all the fasteners and supporting structure used in its assembly are hidden from external view.

I claim:

1. In an exterior sheath of a building comprising a plurality of generally rectangular building panels maintained in outboard relation with a building structure, each said building panel comprising a rectangular sheet having lateral surfaces with vertical side edges, at least two transverse subgirts secured to the inner face of said rectangular sheet, means for securing the said transverse subgirts to said building structure, the improvement comprising:

an outwardly extending flange along the said vertical side edge of each said lateral surface, said outwardly extending flange being bowed laterally inwardly of said vertical side edge thereby providing a receiving well at the juncture of said outwardly extending flange and the said vertical side edge, the said outwardly extending flanges of the adjacent ones of said rectangular sheets being spaced apart;

a pair of tongues extending outwardly from each said transverse subgirt, said tongues being disposed externally of the said vertical side edges and aligned therewith; and

an elongated cap member of generally U-shaped configuration having a face and two spaced legs depending from the said face, said legs being disposed externally of the said outwardly extending flanges of said adjacent ones of said rectangular sheets, each said leg terminating in an inturned leg portion engaged in one said receiving well.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each said transverse subgirt includes a subgirt end portion extending for a predetermined distance beyond each said tongue.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein each said subgirt is individually secured to the said building structure by means of a fastener extending through each said subgirt end portion.

4. The improvement in claim 2 wherein the adjacent ones of said building panels are spaced apart by a distance equal to at least twice the length of one said subgirt end portion.

5. In an exterior sheath of a building comprising a plurality of generally rectangular building panels maintained in outboard relation with a building structure, each said building panel comprising a plurality of rectangular corrugated sheets each formed to present alternating outer crests and inner valleys, a plurality of leg members extending from the edges of each said crest to the adjacent valleys, said corrugated sheets including lateral surfaces with vertical side edges, each said lateral surface comprising one of said valleys, and at least two transverse subgirts secured to said corrugated sheets by fastening means along the said valleys, means for securing the said subgirts to the said building structure, the improvement comprising:

an outwardly extending flange along the said vertical side edge of each said vertical lateral surface, each said outwardly extending flange being bowed laterally inwardly of said vertical side edge thereby providing a receiving well at the juncture of said outwardly extending flange and the said vertical side edge, the said outwardly extending flanges of adjacent ones of said corrugated sheets being spaced apart;

a pair of tongues extending outwardly from each said subgirt, said tongues being disposed externally of the said vertical side edges and aligned therewith; and

an elongated cap member having a crest and two spaced legs depending from the said crest, said legs being disposed externally of the said outwardly extending flanges of said adjacent ones of said corrugated sheets, each said leg terminating in an inturned leg portion engaged in one said receiving well. 6. The improvement of claim 5 wherein the dimensions 5 of said crest and said legs of said cap member are substantially equal to the dimensions of the said crests and the said leg members of said corrugated sheets whereby the said cap member blends with the corrugations of said rectangular corrugated sheets and is visually indistinguish- 10 able therefrom.

No references cited. 

1. IN AN EXTERIOR SHEATH OF A BUILDING COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BUILDING PANELS MAINTAINED IN OUTBOARD RELATION WITH A BUILDING STRUCTURE, EACH SAID BUILDING PANEL COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR SHEET HAVING LATERAL SURFACES WITH VERTICAL SIDE EDGES, AT LEAST TWO TRANSVERSE SUBGIRTS SECURED TO THE INNER FACE OF SAID RECTANGULAR SHEET, MEANS FOR SECURING THE SAID TRANSVERSE SUBGIRTS TO SAID BUILDING STRUCTURE, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ALONG THE SAID VERTICAL SIDE EDGE OF EACH SAID LATERAL SURFACE, SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE BEING BOWED LATERALLY INWARDLY OF SAID VERTICAL SIDE EDGE THEREBY PROVIDING A RECEIVING WELL AT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE AND THE SAID VERTICAL SIDE EDGE, THE SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGES OF THE ADJACENT ONES OF SAID RECTANGULAR SHEETS BEING SPACED APART; A PAIR OF TONGUES EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM EACH SAID TRANSVERSE SUBGIRT, SAID TONGUES BEING DISPOSED EXTERNALLY OF THE SAID VERTICAL SIDE EDGES AND ALIGNED THEREWITH; AND AN ELONGATED CAP MEMBER OF GENERALLY U-SHAPED CONFIGURATION HAVING A FACE AND TWO SPACED LEGS DEPENDING FROM THE SAID FACE, SAID LEGS BEING DISPOSED EXTERNALLY OF THE SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGES OF SAID ADJACENT ONES OF SAID RECTANGULAR SHEETS, EACH SAID LEG TERMINATING IN AN INTURNED LEG PORTION ENGAGED IN ONE SAID RECEIVING WELL. 